Spring in the mountains, Set of 6 (2022) Drawing by Ekaterina Andreeva

My name is Ekaterina Andreeva. I am a miniaturist painter based in Kyrgyzstan.

The Middle Ages were always a source of neverending inspiration for me. The history of medieval art, architecture and especially manuscripts are the fields of my thorough study and extraneous research. I pay special attention to the symbolic language that is intertwined with medieval art — Christian symbols, heraldics, hellinistic cultural symbols, Scandinavian runes, links with astronomy and Zodiac signs.

My work is inspired by the Duke of Berry's Book of Hours, church books, Renaissance choral and scholarly manuscripts. I can spend hours looking at the curves of the ornaments, the shimmering gold, the fantastic flowers, the mysterious creatures, and, of course, the initials that open the chapters. Reimagining this beauty lays at the basis of my work. 

My drop caps sound particularly unusual framed in a customized handmade mat made in the ancient French technique called Lavis which I had studied under the guidance of Alexandra Spassky, a French artisan. Personalization is an emerging trend in contemporary art. We all want to be unique! 

I think there’s nothing that brings a greater sense of belonging than the letters you’ve known for your whole life — the letters of your name. That, coupled with the fact that every letter is embellished with hand painted gold pigment means these prints and decorations are really personal. And really unique to you. No two are the same!

• Nationality: RUSSIA
• Date of birth : 1974
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Russian Contemporary Artists